Unraveling Disability Participation in Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

The issue of person with disability in indigenous peoples is closely related to issues pertaining to enjoyment of social development as well as inclusive citizenship. Indigenous peoples face potential discrimination and exclusion from every social development from every aspect of life. This condition becomes more vulnerable if it occurs in persons with disabilities. The issue of disability discrimination in indigenous peoples, still often neglected in the environment of its own community, as well as in larger systems of society and state. The areas of Toraja, and Bali, were focused on for this research and taken for their larger representation. Facts and analyses collected through this research demonstrate that indigenous persons with disabilities face various layers of discrimination and violations of gender and disability status. The characteristics of indigenous peoples determine the treatment of persons with disabilities within specific communities. Most noticeable is the lack of friendly service for persons with disabilities in their own societies. Therefore, people with disabilities in indigenous communities deserve greater and more accessible opportunities to participate in customary institutions and emancipation beyond the scope of protection and the fulfilment of rights by the government.